# How does Kenya's Digital Health Act affect mental health platforms?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-does-kenya-s-digital-health-act-affect-mental-health-platforms
For: Digital health teams | Mental health | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 23 October 2026

**Answer:** Kenya's Digital Health Act 2023 creates a national framework for digital health services, health information management and exchange. Mental health platforms operating in Kenya should expect obligations on data governance, security, interoperability and use of health data, alongside the Data Protection Act 2019. Product and compliance teams should review both with legal counsel.

### Areas to review (for legal review)

**Checklist**

- Governance and registration requirements for digital health services.
- Health information management, security and retention.
- Interoperability and national health information exchange.
- Consent and secondary use of health data, including for analytics or AI.
- Interaction with the Data Protection Act 2019 and ODPC guidance.

> **Important:** This Knowledge Hub article is operational and product-neutral education. It does not provide clinical, legal or regulatory advice. Local clinical governance, privacy and compliance review should guide live clinic decisions.

## More questions

### When was Kenya's Digital Health Act passed?

The Digital Health Act was enacted in 2023.

### Does the Data Protection Act still apply?

Yes. Health data remains sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2019.

### Should startups wait for regulations before building?

No, but they should design for privacy, security and interoperability now and review as regulations are published.

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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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